Historic! Indian Air Force lands its largest transport aircraft, C-17 Globemaster, in Arunachal's Tuting

The landing ground is challenging as it is located in the midst of high hills in a narrow valley.

C-17 Globemaster is the Indian Air Force's largest transport aircraft&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspANI

New Delhi: C-17 Globemaster, the Indian Air Force's largest transport aircraft, on Tuesday carried out a historic landing at Arunachal Pradesh's Tuting Advanced Landing Ground (ALG), which is close to the Chinese border. The landing of the US-manufactured aircraft is seen as part of the IAF's move to strengthen its overall operations in the strategically-key border state.

"The C17 Globemaster carried out a historic landing at Tuting Advanced Landing Ground. The mission was executed flawlessly owing to its superlative performance and excellent flying skills of pilots," said an IAF spokesperson. The flight crew included Group Captain K Rama Rao, Wing Commander Amiya Kant Patnaik, Wing Commander K Trivedi and Squadron Leader L Nayak. The landing ground is located only 30 km from China.

The landing ground is challenging as it is located in the midst of high hills in a narrow valley. The mammoth C17 Globemaster could execute this mission flawlessly owing to its agile manoeuvrability. After completion of the trial landing, the C17 carried out an operational mission airlifting operation load into the challenging airfield. The mission carried out on Tuesday demonstrated C 17 aircraft's operational performance and capability of tactical air mobility of IAF.

Troops of India and China were locked in a 73-day-long standoff in Doklam from June 16 last year after the Indian side stopped the building of a road in the disputed area by the Chinese Army. The face-off ended on August 28. Sources said China has been keeping its troops in north Doklam and significantly ramping up its infrastructure in the disputed area.

The landing comes after over a year when the Tuting ALG was upgraded on December 30, 2016, with a full-fledged runway along with all the associated facilities. The strategic location of Tuting ALG will make it a launching pad for IAF operations as well as a facilitator to the Administration in the management of border area. The ALG will be used to bring in vital supplies from cities in Assam via fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters besides meeting challenges during natural calamities.

Historic! Indian Air Force lands its largest transport aircraft, C-17 Globemaster, in Arunachal's TutingDescription:The landing ground is challenging as it is located in the midst of high hills in a narrow valley. Times Now